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View Full Version : Leaving it 'til late -- Disappearing in the middle


Postmaster
11 Aug 2003, 06:38 PM
This is no surprise, but United generally leaves it until late in the half to score (as we'd recall from the last 2 Revs matches and the Mariners).

The MLS stats are at (http://www.mlsnet.com/statistics/league.html) under GOALS SCORED/INTERVALS. United's #s are:
Minutes: # DCU Goals - % of DCU Goals | % Other MLS Goals

01-15: 4 - 16% | 10%
16-30: 1 - 4% | 15%
31-45: 9 - 36% | 18%
-- halftime --
46-60: 1 - 4% | 17%
61-75: 0 - 0% | 18%
76-90: 10 - 40% | 20%
-- overtime --
90+: 0 - 0% | 2%

More that 3/4 of United's goals are scored in the last 15 minutes of either half (i.e., 19 goals from time periods 31-45 & 76-90 -- 76% of goals in 33% of the match).

What really caught my eye was that only 4% (1 goal in the 25 scored this MLS season) are in the middle third of either half (i.e., 4% of goals in 33% of the match).

Does this distribution say something about lack of consistient effort throughout the match, needing to wear the opponent down, effectiveness of late subs (at least for 76-90), or what?

Other MLS squads had a much more even distribution (i.e., 15-18% of goals in each period with the start of the match a bit lower and the end of the match a bit higher).

Also doesn't look like Ray's halftime adjustments or motivational chats with the players lead to immediate goal-scoring (see 46-60).

jmsdoc
11 Aug 2003, 07:06 PM
Thanks for the Sandon-like statistics. After a hard day in the office and a visit to the nursing home, followed by several sips on the Wild Turkey bottle straight-up, I don't think these statistics mean a gd thing.

John

Darth_Norteno
12 Aug 2003, 04:33 PM
Impressive "statisticating", but I could give a rat's ass, so long as we keep getting 3 points a match. :D